NSW 2207 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Bardwell Park

With a median house price of $1,815,000 and household income sitting in the 90.4th percentile nationally, Bardwell Park punches well above the Sydney average on both wealth and owner-occupation. On 0.96 square kilometres, 43.7% of dwellings are owned outright, a proportion that points to long-held, debt-free tenure rather than a churn of new buyers. University qualifications reach 48.8%, which is 18.7 percentage points above the national figure. The population of 2,320 is growing at 0.32% annually, modest compared to outer-growth corridors, and the dominant ancestry groups of Greek, English and Chinese give the suburb one of the more distinctive demographic mixes in the St George region.

Bardwell Park urban fabric map

Population

2,320

Median Age

42.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,386/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

22

Median House

$1.8M

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

0.96 km²· 2,427.5 people/km²· Family income $2,709/wk

The median house price is $1,815,000, up 8.6% from $1,685,000 in 2024 to $1,830,000 in 2025, matching the current PSI estimate. Separate houses account for 86.7% of stock, the highest proportion among nearby suburbs, so buyers compete for a genuinely detached-dominant market rather than a mixed apartment pool. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 45.8%, while 4-plus bedroom homes make up 35.4%, skewing larger than the national average. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,800, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%, which sits below the 30% stress threshold despite prices well above the Sydney median. Outright owners at 43.7% outnumber mortgage holders at 37.4%, confirming that much of the stock is held by established residents rather than leveraged buyers.

For Buyers

The median house price is $1,815,000, up 8.6% from $1,685,000 in 2024 to $1,830,000 in 2025, matching the current PSI estimate. Separate houses account for 86.7% of stock, the highest proportion among nearby suburbs, so buyers compete for a genuinely detached-dominant market rather than a mixed apartment pool. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 45.8%, while 4-plus bedroom homes make up 35.4%, skewing larger than the national average. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,800, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%, which sits below the 30% stress threshold despite prices well above the Sydney median. Outright owners at 43.7% outnumber mortgage holders at 37.4%, confirming that much of the stock is held by established residents rather than leveraged buyers.

For Investors

Renters make up just 18.9% of Bardwell Park households, well below the national average, which limits tenant demand. Weekly rent averages $550, and against a $1,815,000 median this implies a gross yield below 1.6%, low even by inner-south Sydney standards. The vacancy rate of 6.1% is elevated, signalling that available rental stock takes time to fill. On the demand side, net overseas migration contributes 203 new residents annually to the broader area while net internal outflow runs at 132 per year, so the growth driver is international rather than domestic. Development activity recorded 20 applications in the past 12 months, mostly modifications and alterations rather than new supply, consistent with a suburb that has little room to expand across its 0.96 km2 footprint.

Development Activity

Total DAs

109

Last 12 Months

22

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-4.3%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
27
Swimming Pool / Spa
5
Change of Use
3
Demolition
3
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
2
Hospitality / Food Premises
1
New Dwelling
1
Commercial / Industrial
1

Schools in Bardwell Park iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Bardwell Park Infants School

ICSEA 1088 Primary Government

K-2 · 33 students

Demographics

The median age of 42 is 2.0 years above the national figure, and the working-age share has fallen 0.1 points while the senior share rose 1.8 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents reach 33.5%, which is 11.9 percentage points above the national average. Ancestry is led by Greek (526 residents) and English (401), with Chinese (321) and Italian (149) also significant, reflecting the postwar Mediterranean migration that shaped the St George district. Greek is the most spoken non-English language at 184 speakers, followed by Mandarin at 69. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above the national figure, and couples with children (794 families) outnumber couples without children (471), consistent with the suburb's family-oriented stock of larger, detached homes.

Age Distribution

0-14
16.1%
15-24
12.7%
25-44
24.1%
45-64
28.0%
65+
18.4%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
2.5%
2 bed
16.3%
3 bed
45.8%
4+ bed
35.4%

Dwelling Structure

86.7%

Houses

6.4%

Townhouse

4.8%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 43.7% Mortgage 37.4% Rent 18.9%

Tenure is skewed heavily toward ownership: 43.7% own outright and 37.4% hold a mortgage, leaving only 18.9% renting, lower than state and national benchmarks. The stock is 86.7% separate houses, with semi-detached at 6.4% and apartments at just 4.8%. Bedroom sizes lean large: 45.8% are three-bedroom and 35.4% have four or more bedrooms, compared to the national median dwelling which trends smaller. The median house price moved from $1,685,000 in 2024 to $1,830,000 in 2025, an 8.6% gain in one year. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1% sits below the 30% stress threshold and rent-to-income at 23.1% also stays comfortable, which explains why 82% of residents remained in the suburb over the five-year period rather than relocating under financial pressure.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,800

Rent / wk

$550

HH Size

2.8

Personal Income / wk

$916

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

6.1%

Unoccupied

52

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

23.1%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

27.1%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Greek
184
Mandarin
69
Arabic
54
Canton
38
Portuguese
18
Italian
15

Ancestry

Greek
526
English
401
Other
393
Chinese
321
Italian
149
Irish
145

Household Composition

23.1%

Couples, no children

2,036

Total families

Economy & Employment

Education is the largest employing industry at 15.5% of local workers (132 people), followed by Professional/Tech at 14.7% (125) and Healthcare at 12.4% (105). Finance contributes 9.6% and Construction 8.6%. By occupation, Professionals (363) and Managers (196) together account for the majority of the employed workforce, consistent with the household income in the 90.4th percentile nationally. The full-time employment rate is 64.7% and the unemployment rate is 4.4%, comparable to Sydney averages. Participation sits at 53.6%, with 710 residents not in the labour force, partly because the older median age of 42 means a proportion of established residents have retired. Real income grew 18.8% over the decade, outpacing many comparable suburbs.

Unemployment

3.0%

Labour Force

7,972

Unemployed

239

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

64.7%

Part-time

30.9%

Participation

53.6%

Employed

993

Occupations

Professionals 363
Managers 196
Clerical/Admin 191
Sales 90
Community/Personal 88
Labourers 53
Machinery/Drivers 38

Top Industries

Education 15.5%
Professional/Tech 14.7%
Healthcare 12.4%
Finance 9.6%
Construction 8.6%

University

48.8%

Postgraduate

14.4%

Born Overseas

33.5%

Dwellings

795

Transport to Work

Cars dominate transport at 81.1% of commuters, above the national average, reflecting the suburb's location between rail corridors rather than on one. Public transport use is 11.1% and walking or cycling accounts for 2.1%. No schools are recorded within the 0.96 km2 boundary, so families rely on schools in adjacent Bardwell Valley, Bexley and Rockdale. The volunteering rate of 12.2% is moderate. Only 5.7% of residents need daily assistance despite the older median age of 42, a lower rate than many comparable aging suburbs nationally. Rent-to-income at 23.1% and mortgage-to-income at 27.1% both sit below stress thresholds, which partly explains why 82.0% of the population stayed in place over five years, above the typical residential turnover rate.

Drive

81.1%

Public Transport

11.1%

Walk / Cycle

2.1%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.32%/yr

(+43 people/yr)

Established

Bardwell Park is an established, slow-growth suburb with annual population growth of 0.32%, adding roughly 43 people per year. The 10-year population change is 8.0%, and medium forecasts project the broader area reaching 13,659 residents by 2031, up from 13,471 in 2025. The main driver is net overseas migration at 203 arrivals per year, offsetting net internal outflow of 132 per year. The suburb recovered from a 2.4% COVID population dip and is now 2.7% above its pre-COVID baseline. Gentrification is rated early signs, with a score of 20, because while incomes are high the suburb has not seen the displacement-level price acceleration of inner suburbs. Rent has grown 31.2% over the period and affordability improved from 73.0% in 2011 to 65.5% in 2021, the trend moving in owners' favour.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+203

Net Internal / yr

-132

20

Gentrification Signal

Early signs

Net internal outflow -132/yr, Strong overseas inflow +203/yr, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Bardwell Park compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 20%
Household Income
Top 10%
Rent Level
Top 4%
Apartments
Top 45%
Renters
Bottom 46%
Uni Educated
Top 10%
Public Transport
Top 10%
Born Overseas
Top 10%
Density
Top 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bardwell Park a good suburb to live in?

Bardwell Park has household income in the 90.4th percentile nationally, a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1% (below the 30% stress threshold), and 82% of residents staying put over five years. University qualifications at 48.8% are 18.7 percentage points above the national figure. The main trade-off is limited public transport, with 81.1% of residents commuting by car.

What is the median house price in Bardwell Park?

The median house price is $1,815,000 as of 2024-2025. Prices rose 8.6% from $1,685,000 in 2024 to $1,830,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $550 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,800, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%.

What schools are in Bardwell Park?

No schools are recorded inside the 0.96 km2 Bardwell Park boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in adjoining suburbs such as Bardwell Valley, Bexley and Rockdale. The local population is highly educated, with 48.8% holding university qualifications, which is 18.7 percentage points above the national average.

Is Bardwell Park safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Bardwell Park in this dataset. As indirect indicators, household income sits in the 90.4th percentile nationally, only 5.7% of residents need daily assistance, and 82.0% stayed in the suburb over five years, all consistent with a stable, low-disadvantage area.

Is Bardwell Park good for property investment?

The rental market is shallow, with renters at 18.9% of households, well below national averages, and a gross yield below 1.6% against the $1,815,000 median. The 6.1% vacancy rate is elevated. The 8.6% house price gain in 2024-2025 and net overseas migration of 203 arrivals per year support capital growth but rental income is modest.

How is Bardwell Park's population changing?

Annual population growth is 0.32%, adding about 43 people per year. The 10-year change is 8.0% and medium forecasts project the broader area at 13,659 by 2031. Overseas migration adds 203 residents per year while net internal outflow removes 132, making international migration the primary growth driver.

What languages are spoken in Bardwell Park?

About 33.5% of residents were born overseas, which is 11.9 percentage points above the national figure. Greek is the most common non-English language with 184 speakers, followed by Mandarin at 69, Arabic at 54 and Cantonese at 38, reflecting the suburb's strong Greek and East Asian heritage.

How to read these comparisons

Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.

Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.

Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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